Purple Line public comment period extended

Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) says the public comment period for the Purple Line Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) has been extended 15 days, with the comment period now ending Oct. 21, 2013.

The administration says the extension comes "[i]n response to several requests from the community, stakeholders and project partners." Opponents of the Purple Line light rail transit project, notably concentrated on the proposed line's western segments in Montgomery County, have ardently called for more time to voice objections to the plan.

Copies of the Purple Line FEIS are available at select libraries and public facilities in Montgomery and Prince George's counties and at www.purplelinemd.com. A list of public locations can also be found on-line. MTA says comments can be submitted online or by sending an email to FEIS@purplelinemd.com with "FEIS COMMENT" as the subject heading.

The $2.2 billion, 16-mile, 21-station Purple Line would span two Maryland counties north of Washington, D.C., with connections to Washington's Metro system at four locations. Average daily ridership in 2040 is projected to be 74,000.